Portsmouth MP supports Bill to improve living conditions for tenants

City MP Stephen Morgan joined Karen Buck MP yesterdayin Parliament to support her Private Members Bill that will improve living standards for thousands of tenants in Portsmouth.

The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation and Liability for Housing Standards) Bill, which is in its final stages, aims to improve standards in rental properties by placing an obligation on landlords, across the private and social rented sectors, to ensure that their homes are fit for human habitation.

It aims to empower tenants by giving them a right to take action in the courts if this is not fulfilled.

The bill has received high levels of support from MPs, who gave their support on a ‘sitting Friday’, resulting in it now making it to the next stage (further reading).

Stephen Morgan MP said:

“Portsmouth has a high percentage of both private and social tenants.

Currently, landlords have no obligation to their tenants to put or keep the property in a condition fit for habitation and this simply isn’t good enough.

Some renters face poor quality and unsuitable conditions. My postbag is regularly filled with concerns about this across our city.

If this bill is passed it will give tenants in Portsmouth and across the country more protection over the safety and condition of their rented properties”.